Northern Colorado residents learn Alexander Mountain Fire has burned homes, investigators assessing damage
Some residents evacuated by the Alexander Mountain Fire in Larimer County tell CBS News Colorado's Dillon Thomas they have lost structures on their mountain properties as a result of the blaze. Residents say garages, sheds and even homes have been burned.
On Thursday afternoon, the Larimer County Sheriff's Office said at least two dozen structures have been damaged or destroyed by the fire. The structures are believed to be a combination of homes and outbuildings.
"Getting the notification that your home or property has been damaged is never easy. We will grieve alongside our neighbors through this difficult process, and our team will be here for you in the difficult days and months ahead," said Larimer County Sheriff John Feyen in a statement. "The hundreds of people assigned to this fire will continue working around the clock to keep our community safe."
Those residents who spoke with Thomas said they learned of the structure loss via neighbors who elected to forgo mandatory evacuations and stay in their community.
The Alexander Mountain Fire has burned more than 8,000 acres in Larimer County since it began on Monday. Some or all of the fire is burning on U.S. Forest Service land. There is 1% containment on the fire as of Thursday. There are 260 fire personnel battling the fire.
The fire is burning near the Sylvan Dale Guest Ranch, about 10 miles west of the Loveland city limits. That's near the mouth of the Big Thompson Canyon.
Those structures impacted are in the immediate area of Palisade Mountain Drive and Snow Top Drive. Affected property owners will be notified by the Larimer County Sheriff's Office once the process is complete.
The sheriff's office is asking those who believe their property has been impacted by the Alexander Mountain Fire to contact the Damage Assessment Center at 970-980-2800 to provide current contact information to the Office of Emergency Management.
Because the fire is still burning, investigators are still trying to find safe ways to assess possible damage.
Thomas spoke with one resident who lives near Palisade Mountain and said at least one building on her property was destroyed. She said she, as of the last word from a neighbor, still has a home. She said her neighbor watched as firefighters dropped water on her home, which she believes saved her house from the blaze.
The Forest Service has asked for the public's help in their investigation. They said they are looking for information that might help them as well as any photos or videos that might shed some light on what sparked the wildfire.
People can call the Forest Service Law Enforcement Tip Line at (303) 275-5266 if they have information to share. They can submit videos and photos through a special section of the U.S. Forest Service website.
Resources for the Alexander Mountain Fire include updates about firefighting efforts on the fire's Facebook page and Larimer County's Alexander Mountain Fire website for details about evacuations, road closures and community resources.